Impact of Self-Hypnosis in Women on Select Physiologic and Psychological Parameters

Objective To examine physiologic and psychologic effects of hypnosis in healthy women. Design Quasi-experimental, within-subject, repeated measures. Setting Private laboratory setting in an urban Midwestern College of Nursing. Participants Convenience sample of 30 healthy, female volunteers who were nonpregnant, predominantly White, college students. Method Participants listened to a 30-minute recording of relaxing, affirming hypnotic suggestions while sitting comfortably in a recliner. Hypnotizability and trait anxiety were measured at baseline. Tension-anxiety was measured at baseline and following the hypnotic induction. Heart rate, respiratory rate, and heart rate variability were collected before, during, and following the hypnotic experience. Results Paired t tests revealed significantly reduced heart rate (ppppp Conclusions Hypnosis is an innovative, low-technology, self-modulated approach that may contribute to stress reduction and health promotion. Parameters demonstrated increased parasympathetic nervous system activity associated with relaxation during and immediately after the hypnosis experience. Findings from this study suggest that nurses can include hypnosis information when advising healthy women about available stress reduction approaches, as well as tailor their nursing care for women who present using this alternative approach